The National Assembly took over the functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly almost four months ago. The action may have stopped the steep decline to Armageddon, but following that what else?
The takeover of the Rivers State House of Assembly last July was informed by the fracas that engulfed the House on Tuesday, July 9 on the floor of the chambers.
*Empty chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly
Lawmakers had on that day engaged in a free for all with 27 members loyal to Governor Chibuke Amaechi pitched against five who are known to be hostile to the governor. Following the fight, the House sharply divided into two with acrimonious bearing towards one another until the House of Representatives intervened.
One of the 27, Tonye Harry, who was also, a former Speaker of the House, recently passed on, leaving the majority supportive of the governor at 26.
The five anti Amaechi lawmakers claimed to have impeached the Speaker of the House, Hon Otelemaba Amachree during the crisis on the floor of the House and elected a Speaker, Hon Evans Bipi.
While the pro Amaechi legislators maintained that there was no impeachment. They also insisted that the impeachment claim by the anti Amaechi lawmakers could not have been possible with only four members. Because the one who was purportedly elected Speaker would not have voted for himself in the alleged election.
Meantime, attempt to reconvene the House by the pro Amaechi lawmakers about two months after the show of shame on the floor of the House resulted in another free for all by supporters of the two factions in the premises of the assembly.
The supporters moved their fight closer to the Government House, Port Harcourt that same day. Security men who stepped in to quell the ugly situation allegedly fired canisters of teargas into the Government House.
The House of Assembly has since remained under lock and key after that botched attempt to resume sittings by the pro Amaechi lawmakers. None of the factions have been allowed access into the premises.
A valedictory session for the late member of the House who represented Degema constituency, Late Hon Harry had to hold at the Port Harcourt club because of the crisis.
The situation also affected staff of the assembly as they have been denied access to their offices.
It is not clear if the lawmakers are getting their salaries since the fracas. Although, Hon Bipi who claimed to be Speaker of the five anti Amaechi lawmakers said the others were being paid while they the five lawmakers were not getting their salaries.
But leader of the House, Hon Chid Lloyd in several newspaper reports before the National Assembly took over the functions of the House said no member of the House had been paid salaries since the place was sealed up by security operatives.
Corroborating the position of the Leader of the House, the Deputy Speaker, Hon Leyii Kwanee said there was no way anybody could talk of payment of salaries at a time fierce looking security operatives had taken over the complex.
"Fierce looking policemen have taken over the Assembly. The Clerk of the Assembly, the Accountant and the Administrative staff of the Assembly cannot do anything. Do you discuss salaries in such situation? These things are very worrisome," he asked?
Continuing, he said the whole nation was looking up to the National Assembly for leadership. "The National Assembly has to give direction to the country now. It is sad nobody is ready to come to the aide of Rivers people", he said.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon Kwanee also told Vanguard that he was not aware if the National Assembly had sat over any issue relating to the Rivers State House of Assembly since it took over its functions.
"It is not to my knowledge. We had expected that the motion passed by the National Assembly would have been respected by now especially the one urging Mbu (the state Police Commissioner, Mr Joseph Mbu) to leave. We are so shocked and surprised that since they returned they had not said anything. There had been no comment. The whole nation is looking up to the National Assembly for direction at this very critical moment of our democracy", he stressed.
The ugly situation is also delaying the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge for the state.
Governor Amaechi appointed Justice Peter Agumagu as the Acting Chief Judge of the state in August and he has remained in that capacity since then.
Kwanee added that it is the duty of the House of Assembly to ratify recommendations of the governor for the office. "It is in the place of the governor as enshrined in the 1999 constitution to appoint and the Assembly will ratify. As it is now the man is in acting capacity," he said.
There is no doubt that this is certainly not the best of times for the Rivers State House of Assembly. Indeed, many are perplexed that the National Assembly that took over its functions seems to have forgotten that it has taken up additional challenges.
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